Blue Lamp Trust

The Blue Lamp Trust is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and enhancing community safety throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. All our profits support the work of the Bobby Scheme, a free service which provides practical home security and safety assistance to the elderly and vulnerable, helping them to feel safe in their homes. Charitable funds are raised through our range of road safety courses and taxi driver assessments with DVSA-approved assessors.

Blue Lamp Trust

 

Buy with Confidence

Buy With Confidence is the only nationally available business approval scheme that’s 100% owned, controlled and operated by independent public sector bodies. Using a Buy with Confidence approved member is the best way to ensure a legal, honest and fair service if you need work doing around your home.

 Buy With Confidence

 

Connect to Support

Connect to Support Hampshire is an online information and advice guide and directory of services for adult residents in Hampshire to find information, advice and services to manage their own care and wellbeing. You can find out about local groups, activities and services within your community as well as formal care provision by clicking on the image below to go to the  Connect to Support website.

 

Fundraising Preference Service

The Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) is an official service that lets you stop charities contacting you. Further information and FAQs about the service can be found on the FPS website www.fundraisingpreference.org.uk.

 

Hampshire Police Direct Access Line

This registration only service designed to help people who find it difficult to use the 101 number because for example they:

• struggle to hold a telephone for a long time
• have a poor memory
• become easily confused, especially when stressed
• find it difficult to communicate
• struggle to understand people speaking too fast

The Direct Access Line reduces the amount of time you have to wait to speak with a call-taker. The person who answers your call will already have an understanding of your or your carer’s background. You can register important details and information with us in confidence, such as your next-of-kin, which may help us in an emergency.

 Hampshire Police Direct Access Line

The Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves can fill in.

It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including:

• medication required
• mobile numbers
• places previously located
• a recent photograph

See more on the Hampshire Constabulary website.

 

Lasting Power of Attorney

Lasting Power of Attorney – Let’s Plan Ahead Campaign

Let’s Plan Ahead (LPA) is a multi-agency initiative hosted by the Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board, which aims to raise awareness and drive the uptake of Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare. Click the link below to view the LPA pages:

Let’s Plan Ahead Campaign

 

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.

This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).

Guidance on how to make, register or end an LPA

 

Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) Lasting Power of Attorney Campaign

The Office of the Public Guardian’s (OPG) lasting power of attorney (LPA) campaign  promotes the importance and benefits of making an LPA. The campaign also clears up some of the myths around LPAs. Click on the pictures below for full-sized versions of the campaign posters and leaflets.

         

Further information is available from the Office of the Public Guardian here:

Lasting Power of Attorney OPG Campaign

 

Loneliness and Social Isolation Campaign 2019

Over 9 million people in the UK across all adult ages – more than the population of London – are either always or often lonely. Half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.

If you know someone is lonely or socially isolated, they may be vulnerable, or open to forms of abuse such as mate crime. There is help and resources available to them. The HSAB campaign for 2019 addresses loneliness and social isolation. For more information visit www.connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk or to report a concern please contact Hampshire Adults Health & Care on 0300 555 1386.

Click on the links below to view and/or download the posters for the 2019 Loneliness and Social Isolation Campaign:

                    

 

Mail Preference Service

The Mail Preference Service (MPS) is free and funded by the direct mail industry to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from lists used by the industry.  It is actively supported by the Royal Mail and all directly involved trade associations. Registering with the MPS is FREE. Click below to find out more about this service and how it can help protect against unsolicited direct mailings.

 Mail Preference Service

 

Mental Health

Dementia Services in Hampshire and Portsmouth

Information regarding services provided by the Alzheimer’s Society around dementia can be found in this leaflet:

Alzheimer’s Society Service leaflet for Hampshire and Portsmouth

 

Modern Slavery

Below is a poster that can be downloaded and to be placed  where it will get noticed in the public domain to raise awareness of Modern Slavery and the signs to look out for.

 Modern Slavery Poster Clewer

Modern slavery takes many forms, including child exploitation, which is a growing problem in the UK.  This guide, from “Unseen”, aims to help parents and carers spot County Lines exploitation and know how to get help.

  Unseen County Lines Exploitation – guide for parents, carers & practitioners

 

National Referral Mechanism (NRM) – a guide for parents

The NRM or National Referral Mechanism is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking and Modern Slavery.

Through this process it should ensure that victims receive support and their needs are recognised.

 National Referral Mechanism

 

PREVENT

Prevent is the name given to a national strategy which aims to stop people from becoming violent extremists or supporting terrorism. Channel is the process that supports people at risk of being drawn towards terrorism or violent extremism.

Prevent aims to deal with all forms of extremism including Far Right racist extremism, animal rights extremism and religious extremism.

Signs of possible radicalisation:

• Notable changes in behaviour/mood
• May begin to express extreme political or radical views
• Appear increasingly sympathetic to terrorist acts
• Appearance may change
• Friends may change and may spend excess time on their own or on the internet

By raising your concerns and making a referral, you can help someone who you believe is at risk of radicalisation get support, and can prevent them becoming involved in potentially violent activities, long before any criminal activity occurs.

Information about making a referral can be found here:

  Prevent leaflet 2016 A4

For more information about PREVENT please visit the PREVENT partnership Board website here:

  Hampshire PREVENT Partnership Board • Preventing terrorism and radicalisation within our communities

 

Self Neglect

The Care Act Guidance advises that ‘self neglect’ covers a wide range of behaviour including neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. Research literature states the term ‘self-neglect’ is commonly used to refer to:

• Lack of self-care: in personal hygiene, in adhering to daily needs, in refusal of essential care or necessary medical treatment.
• Lack of care of the living environment: hoarding, squalor and infestation.

Hampshire and IOW 4LSAB Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy provides guidance on responding to self neglect and persistent welfare concerns here:

 Guidance on responding to self neglect and persistent welfare concerns 

What to do if you are concerned about someone who is experiencing abuse or neglect:

Telephone Hampshire Adult Services:  0300 555 1386

or out of hours: 0300 555 1373

Police: 101 or in an emergency 999

Click on the link below to view and/or download the Self Neglect posters in various sizes:

        

 

SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service for Deaf Adults and Children

SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service is a specialist service for Deaf adults and children who have experienced abuse.  They are the only domestic abuse service in the UK that communicates with Deaf people directly,  using a variety of communication methods, predominantly British Sign Language (BSL).  Communicating in sign language means they are able to offer Deaf people the support and advice they need, in a language they can understand.  Deaf people are often isolated from hearing people, as most people do not know sign language.  See their leaflet below:

 Sign Health Leaflet

 

Telephone Preference Service

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service. It is the official central opt out register on which you can record your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls. It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so. Registration  is FREE. Click below to find out more about this service and how it can help protects against unsolicited marketing calls.

 Telephone Preference Service

 

Third Party Reporting Centres

It is widely accepted that hate crimes are under reported. Not all victims are comfortable with reporting their experiences directly to the police. Possible reasons for this may include:

• Lack of awareness of ways to report hate crime
• Victims find visiting police stations intimidating or daunting
• Victims believe the police won’t believe them or take them seriously
• Individuals are unaware they are victims of hate crimes
• Lack of support to help victims make a report, e.g. interpreters
• Victims fear being outed in terms of their sexuality or disability

Third Party Reporting Centres (TPRCs) overcome these barriers by providing an alternative to directly reporting to the police, without which a number of hate incidents and crimes would never be reported or recorded.

Visit the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s webpage on Third Party Reporting Centres here:

Third Party Reporting Centres

Third Party Reporting Centres Poster:

 

Mate Crime

Mate crime occurs when a person is harmed or taken advantage of by someone they thought was their friend. Mate Crime can become a very serious form of abuse. In some cases victims of Mate Crime have been badly harmed or even killed. Surveys indicate that people with disabilities can often become the targets of this form of exploitation.

Different types of Mate Crime

• Theft/financial abuse – The abuser might demand or ask to be lent money and then not pay it back. The perpetrator might mis-use the property of the vulnerable adult.
• Physical assault/abuse – the abuser might hurt or injure the vulnerable adult.
• Harassment or emotional abuse – the abuser might manipulate, mis-lead and make the person feel worthless.
• Sexual assault/abuse – the abuser might harm or take advantage of the person sexually.

What to do if you think you or someone you know is a victim of Mate Crime?

Contact the police or Hampshire County Council Adult Services on 0300 555 1386.

If you would like advice about Mate Crime call the Hampshire County Council Safeguarding Helpline: 01962 847214.

Click on the link below for guidance on mate crime:

 Mate Crime Guidance 2016

Click on the link below to view a presentation on mate crime developed for professionals:

 Mate Crime Presentation developed for Professionals

Click on the link below to view a presentation on mate crime developed for service users:

 Mate Crime Presentation developed for Service Users

Click on the link below to view the Mate Crime Poster in various sizes:

 Mate Crime Poster A4

 Mate Crime Poster A3

 Mate Crime Leaflet A5

 

The video below is an extract from the play “Living Without Fear” by Blue Apple Theatre:

 

Tricky Friends animation

“Tricky Friends” is a short animation developed by Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board to help people to understand what good friendships are, when they might be harmful and what they can do.  It is important that people with learning disabilities and autism, those who have cognitive difficulties and also children and young adults have positive opportunities to make and maintain friendships.  We want to help them to do this as well as reduce the risk of harm and exploitation in groups who may be less able to recognise the intentions of others.  The animation can be used as a way to help people to think about the issues and start conversations about keeping safe while enjoying friendships.  Click on the link below to watch the animation:

  Tricky Friends animation | Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board

 

No Cold Calling Zones

No Cold Calling Zones help combat the problem of doorstep crime. They can deter unscrupulous cold callers from approaching people living in the zones, but more importantly, they can give people the confidence to say “No”. Whilst the zones do not ban cold callers or create exclusion zones, they can be useful in dealing with any unwelcome cold callers.

 No Cold Calling Zones

 

Safe and Well

Hampshire Fire Service Safe and Well is a Home Fire Safety visit that’s tailored to an individual’s needs, relating to their health and lifestyle choices.  This is available to people with vulnerabilities that may indicate that they are at more risk of harm from fire.  This visit is free of charge and will include a customer-made information pack, installation of new fire alarms and a check of existing fire alarms, issue of fire retardant bedding, furniture throws and nightwear and, if appropriate, a referral to other services for a professional assessment.  To find out more visit the Hampshire Fire Service Safe and Well webpage.

 

Safe Car Wash App

The Safe Car Wash app is a new tool that will enable the largest community intelligence gathering exercise ever attempted in the United Kingdom.

Download the free app onto your smartphone. When you are using a hand car wash, simply open the app and complete a short survey about the working conditions of the car wash.

The app will ask a series of questions related to the indicators of modern slavery and if there is a high likelihood that modern slavery is occurring in the hand car wash, you will be asked to report your concerns to the Modern Slavery Helpline. The data the app collects will be anonymised and shared with the National Crime Agency and the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority, two law enforcement agencies who are leading on efforts to stamp out modern slavery across the UK.

Further information and a link to download the app can be found here:

https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/safecarwash

 

Scams Advice

Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends. National Trading Standards is warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams that seek to benefit from the public’s concern and uncertainty over COVID-19.  Friends Against Scams – National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team initiative protecting and preventing people from becoming victims of scams have produced a social media pack with information on how to protect yourself and others from Coronavirus scams.

                      

Hampshire Constabulary has produced advice and guidance on scams during the COVID-19 crisis. The Scam Awareness flyer outlines some of the most common scams being seen at the moment. Please note these scams are evolving all the time so you may see different variations or new ones popping up which may not be included in this flyer. To keep up to date we recommend signing up to Hampshire Alert at:   https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk    and Action Fraud at:    Action Fraud   for notifications.

CV19 Scam Awareness Flyer self print

 

Take Five – advice to prevent email, phone-based and online fraud

“Take Five” is a national campaign offering straightforward, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based and online fraud, particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations. Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police.  They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.  Stop and think.  It could protect you and your money.  Find out more at: Take Five – To Stop Fraud

 

Romance Fraud

 

Financial Abuse

Financial Abuse and Scams: Guidance for Councillors, Directors, Managers and Social Work Practitioners

The NTS Scams Team are currently focussing on establishing a partnership with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) to engage at a national level to improve local partnerships and operational delivery. Helping to raise awareness of abuse and improve safeguarding practices, ADASS, in partnership with the Local Government Association, Adult Principal Social Worker Network and National Trading Standards, has published guidance on financial abuse and scams, for Directors and people working in social care.

 Top Tips – Financial Abuse and Scams

 The Little Guide to… preventing fraud and cyber crime – Metropolitan Police

 

CAB Financial Abuse Case Studies

The following case studies are some examples of clients who have been supported in Hampshire by the Citizens’ Advice Service.  The names have been changed to protect the individuals concerned.  Although short accounts, experience has shown that these complex cases take several meetings or contacts to help resolve.

  Financial Abuse Case Studies

 

HSAB Financial Abuse Campaign 2017

Financial Abuse Leaflet A5        Financial Abuse Leaflet A5 High Contrast

 Financial Abuse Poster 1 A4     Financial Abuse Poster 1 A4 High Contrast

 Financial Abuse Poster 2 A4     Financial Abuse Poster 2 A4 High Contrast

  Financial Abuse Factsheet

 

Stop the Traffik

Below are a selection of resources from Stop the Traffik.

               

          

 

Suicide Helplines and Support Groups

The website below provides useful links to helplines and support networks for people to talk to regarding mental health and suicidal feelings.

Mental Wellbeing Hampshire – Crisis Prevention